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  • Reps committee pledges support for NECO, WAEC, others to boost education standards

    Reps committee pledges support for NECO, WAEC, others to boost education standards

    The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies has pledged to collaborate closely with the National Examination Council (NECO), West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and other exam bodies to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria.

    Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oboku Oforji (PDP, Bayelsa), made this known while leading other members of the committee on an oversight visit to monitor the ongoing NECO examinations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Oforji emphasised the importance of supporting indigenous examination bodies, saying the National Assembly will provide all necessary legislative backing to strengthen their operations.

    “This visit is part of our constitutional responsibility. NECO is our own, and we are proud of the progress it has made under the leadership of Professor Ibrahim Wushishi,” he said.

    He noted that the committee was particularly impressed by the conduct of the exams and the level of student commitment observed during their visit.

    Oforji also expressed concern over examination malpractice, urging NECO to sustain its efforts in curbing the menace and maintaining examination integrity for a brighter future.

    “You saw the master sheets, the validation documents that were brought. They all had passport photographs of the various candidates. And this was used to validate who writes the exams. Without this they wouldn’t be allowed to get into the hall and then you also saw the supervisor validating attendance taking some records.

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    “What we have seen today, what we have observed today, if this tempo is sustained, we are going to have a better tomorrow. We are very sure of our country. We want to have the betterment of our country. And with what is going on, we are very, very poised, we are very, very confident that tomorrow will be better than today. So it is a good one. We want them to show more resilience. 

    “For us in the parliament…we believe that the reforms that are ongoing are going to add more value to the educational sector, not just NECO, all the other examination bodies. And we believe that with what we have seen today, we believe that we’ll have a better system, educational system, and we are ready to collaborate, working with WAEC, NECO, JAMB NABTEB, and other examination bodies to improve the standard of education in our country. 

    “And we are very, very confident that we’ll achieve that feat. And that is why you are seeing us here carrying out this oversight at this very time. So be rest assured that the National Assembly is up and doing, and we’re going to get it done. It’s a good result for Nigeria, by the special grace of God.”

  • JUST IN: NECO releases 2025 BECE results

    JUST IN: NECO releases 2025 BECE results

    …schedules re-sit for July 23–24

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

    The Council, in a press statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, said that a total of 179,201 candidates registered for the examination, which was conducted in 12 subjects nationwide. 

    The exams, which began on May 12, 2025, were concluded successfully on May 23, 2025.

    NECO announced the release of the results on Wednesday following the conclusion of the 2025 BECE Award Committee meeting held at the Council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.

    The Chairperson of the Award Committee, Dr. Folake Olatunji David, who is also the Director of Basic Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination and the transparency of the result-processing system.

    Read Also: 58 inmates write NECO in Kano facility, says NCoS

    “We are pleased with the integrity of the process that led to the release of these results. The collaboration between NECO and education stakeholders across the country was commendable,” she said.

    The meeting was attended by principals from various secondary schools across Nigeria as well as senior NECO management staff. Discussions during the session also focused on performance trends and improvements in the examination system.

    Meanwhile, NECO has scheduled a re-sit for candidates who did not meet the minimum requirements in core subjects. The re-sit will take place on July 23 and 24, 2025, and will cover Mathematics and English Studies.

    The council urged candidates and schools to check the results on its official portal and prepare accordingly for the re-sit examination.

    The BECE is a mandatory examination for students completing their Junior Secondary School education and seeking to progress to Senior Secondary School.

    NECO reassured the public of its continued commitment to ensuring credible and transparent examinations for Nigerian students.

  • 58 inmates write NECO in Kano facility, says NCoS

    58 inmates write NECO in Kano facility, says NCoS

    The Kano State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said 58 inmates from its custodial facilities are currently sitting for this year’s National Examination Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

    A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Musbahu Kofar-Nasarawa, in Kano said the milestone was achieved following the payment of registration fees by the Kano State government under the leadership of Governor Abba Yusuf.

    “The gesture is a testament to the state government’s commitment to the welfare, rehabilitation, reformation, and reintegration of inmates in the command,”  Kofar-Nasarawa said.

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    The command expressed profound gratitude to the governor for his unwavering support and partnership, adding that it would boost the morale of inmates and provide them with a second chance at education and a brighter future.

    “The NCoS Kano State Command remains committed to providing a conducive environment for the rehabilitation and reformation of inmates.

    “We are proud to have the support of the Kano State Government in this endeavour,” the statement added.

  • Osun lawmaker Irekandu distributes free NECO forms to 45 students in Obokun constituency

    Osun lawmaker Irekandu distributes free NECO forms to 45 students in Obokun constituency

    Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi, popularly known as Irekandu and representing Obokun State Constituency in Osun State, has distributed free National Examinations Council (NECO) forms to 45 students in his constituency.

    The initiative was announced in a statement released by his media team on Tuesday, June 10.

    The gesture followed his earlier scholarship programme that benefited over 100 out-of-school children in the constituency, underscoring his ongoing commitment to educational development.

    Speaking during the distribution, Hon. Adeyemi said the initiative was aimed at promoting education and empowering young people.

    He acknowledged the economic hardship facing many families, noting that the free NECO forms would help ease the financial burden and enhance access to quality education.

    “Education remains my top priority. I will continue to do my best for our people,” he pledged.

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    One of the beneficiaries, Adekunle Tosin, expressed gratitude to the lawmaker, revealing that her parents had already resigned to the fact that she would miss this year’s NECO examination due to a lack of funds.

    “But when we heard about the promotional test to select beneficiaries, I was hopeful. I prepared well and, luckily, I was chosen,” she said.

    Parents and students who benefited from the scheme lauded Hon. Adeyemi’s support, describing him as a compassionate legislator who understands the struggles of the poor and values the role of education in transforming lives.

  • Gov Lawal clears WAEC, NECO debt, secures release of pending results

    Gov Lawal clears WAEC, NECO debt, secures release of pending results

    Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal has settled all outstanding debts owed to examination bodies by previous administrations in the State, a development that has led to the release of withheld results of students who sat for SSCE spanning five years.

    According to the State Government, there were unpaid fees to the National Examinations Council (NECO) from 2014 to 2018 and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) from 2018 to 2022.

    However, a statement by the spokesperson for the Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, on Saturday, revealed Lawal has settled the debts and consequently the examination bodies have released all results withheld by them from 2018 to 2022.

    The statement added that the present government’s effort to settle the outstanding debts was part of a broader strategy in line with Governor Lawal’s declaration of a state of emergency on education.

    The statement read in part: “In his commitment to overhauling the educational sector of Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has settled all backlog of payments owed by previous administrations in the state.

    “The nonpayment of fees for WAEC and NECO has caused a significant setback for public schools throughout Zamfara State, continually placing Zamfara at the bottom of educational indices across Nigeria.

    “Recognising the issues within the education system, Governor Lawal declared a state of emergency in education in November 2023, a decision producing positive results for the educational sector in Zamfara State.

    “More than 500 schools have been renovated and equipped since the emergency declaration. Public teachers have been trained and are undergoing retraining.

    “The swift payment of the outstanding debt to WAEC and NECO has relieved the stranded Zamfara students, who completed their final exams but could not proceed due to the examination bodies withholding their results.

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    “For the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Governor Dauda Lawal has paid the outstanding of one billion four hundred million naira that the previous administrations owed from 2018 to 2022.

    “The immediate past government could not pay for the 2023 WAEC; therefore, no public school in Zamfara State participated in the examination. However, payment was made for 2024, and students took the exams.

    “On the part of the National Examination Council (NECO), Governor Lawal has paid N320, 699, 850.00 to settle a debt owed the council from 2020 to 2021.

    “The previous administrations from 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 failed to pay the National Examination Council (NECO) the sum of one billion and twenty-two million naira, a reason why the council decided to withhold the results of Zamfara students who sat during that period.

    “Governor Dauda Lawal has also approved the payment of the withheld results from 2014 to 2018, and an agreement has been reached with NECO to release the results immediately after receiving the first batch of the payment.”

  • Osun’s rise to 7th in NECO rankings excites governor

    Osun’s rise to 7th in NECO rankings excites governor

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is excited by the state’s leap from 33rd to 7th in national examination rankings.

    He described the feat as a major electoral promise fulfilled, Adeleke’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Olawale Rasheed, confirmed in a statement.

    The statement quoted Adeleke as citing a National Examinations Council (NECO) report titled Standard Educational Performance Ranking of States in 2024 SSCE.

    It reads: “The report ranked Osun 7th, affirming the governor’s commitment to restoring educational excellence once enjoyed by the state since its creation in 1991.

    “Osun was ranked 7th among 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, coming behind Lagos, Kano, Oyo, Benue, Ogun and Katsina.

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    “Out of 41,264 candidates, 29,101 secured at least five credits, including English and Mathematics, marking a success rate of about 71 per cent.

    “This performance is the state’s best result in 18 years, reflecting a significant turnaround in academic outcomes under the current administration.

    “The report also showed male candidates ranked 10th nationwide with 69.2 per cent success, while female candidates ranked 6th with around 72 per cent success.”

    Adeleke noted that the internal performance ranking aligned with other successes in examinations and competitions within the education sector.

    He praised the Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole and stakeholders for their roles in realising the administration’s educational goals.

    He said: “I am elated that daily, we hear good news about our state. I made a promise, and with God and our team, we delivered.

    “It is extraordinary to rise from 33rd to 7th in just two years. But our target is first place, and it is achievable.”

    He urged the education team not to relent, emphasising the need to sustain reforms and drive continuous innovation in the sector.

  • Sule pays NECO fees for over 24,000 students in Nasarawa

    Sule pays NECO fees for over 24,000 students in Nasarawa

    Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has approved the payment of the 2025 National Examination Council (NECO) registration fee for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for over 24,000 students in the state.

    This initiative builds upon the state’s impressive academic performance in the 2024 national examinations.

    The Commissioner for Education, Dr. John D.W. Mamman, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Malam Mohammed Bala Sani, made this announcement during a meeting with the Nasarawa State Coordinator of NECO and his team.

    Malam Sani lauded Governor Abdullahi Sule for his consistent prioritisation of education over the past six years.

    He emphasised that the government’s unwavering support has significantly alleviated the financial burden on parents and guardians while simultaneously enhancing the state’s standing in national examinations.

    Highlighting the positive outcomes of this commitment, Dr. Mamman noted that the 2024 NECO SSCE internal results placed Nasarawa State 9th nationally and 2nd in the North-Central geopolitical zone, second only to Benue State.

    In terms of female academic performance, the state also secured an impressive 7th position nationwide and maintained its 2nd position in the North-Central region.

    Furthermore, Nasarawa State recorded one of the lowest instances of examination malpractice nationwide, ranking 35th out of 36 states, just ahead of Zamfara State.

    This remarkable achievement underscores the growing academic discipline within the state’s educational system.

    The Commissioner expressed his appreciation for NECO’s valuable contributions to the development of education in the state and assured the visiting coordinator of the government’s dedication to further improving educational standards.

    He also commended NECO for its innovative efforts aimed at strengthening the integrity of examination processes.

    Earlier, the NECO state coordinator, Malam Suleiman Muazzam, briefed the Ministry on NECO’s plans to transition from paper-based to computer-based testing (CBT) for the SSCE.

    He announced that the 2025 examinations would introduce CBT as an optional mode, with full implementation anticipated by 2027.

    Malam Muazzam commended the Nasarawa State Government for its sustained investment in the education sector, acknowledging the positive impact reflected in the 2024 examination results.

    He expressed profound gratitude for the government’s steadfast commitment to covering the registration fees for all students in public secondary schools, emphasising that this gesture has not only increased enrollment but also fostered improved academic outcomes, positioning Nasarawa State as a leading example of education-focused governance in Nigeria.

    In a parallel development aimed at bolstering the educational infrastructure, the Nasarawa state government, through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), has earmarked a substantial sum of ₦12 billion for the improvement of school infrastructure across 690 public secondary schools in the state.

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    This significant intervention will encompass the provision of gender-sensitive toilets, the renovation of dilapidated existing structures, the provision of boreholes, and the construction of perimeter fencing to prevent encroachment.

    Furthermore, the government will construct 30 new schools, comprising 15 junior and 15 senior secondary schools.

    The junior secondary schools will be strategically located within existing primary school premises, while the senior secondary schools will be situated within existing junior secondary school compounds to ensure a seamless transition for students.

    These dual initiatives – the payment of NECO fees and the massive investment in infrastructure – underscore the Nasarawa State Government’s unwavering commitment to providing quality education and creating a conducive learning environment for all students in the state

  • NECO buys OMR scanner to boost security of its exams

    NECO buys OMR scanner to boost security of its exams

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has acquired a high performance Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) Scanner to enhance the efficiency, credibility and security of its examinations.

    The Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi broke the news during the inauguration of the newly installed scanning machine at the ICT Department in Minna, Niger State capital on Thursday,

    In a statement by the Ag. Director, Information and Public Relations, NECO, Azeez Sani the Registrar said it was part of the Council’s efforts to improve accuracy, speed and reliability in its examination process.

    Prof. Wushishi disclosed that the scantron Insight 1500c is a high performance OMR Scanner known for its precision, speed and ability to handle large volumes of scripts efficiently. 

    Read Also: NECO accredits more schools in Equatorial Guinea for SSCE, BECE

    “With this new addition, we will significantly enhance our data processing capabilities, ensuring faster and more accurate results processing for millions of candidates across the world,” Wushishi stated. 

    According to him, the newly acquired scanner has the capability to scan over 15,000 OMR sheets per hour and 250 per minute.

    The Registrar stated that the scanning machine, which cost about N500 million, has the capacity to simultaneously scan and score OMR sheets.

    Prof. Wushishi explained that the acquisition of the high-speed scanner is a testament to NECO’s commitment to leveraging technology in all its examination processes.

    The Director ICT Department, Mr. Goddy Usioboh, said the acquisition of the new scanner aligns with NECO’s vision of delivering world-class examination services while maintaining the integrity of its assessment.

    The Technical Adviser from Scantron Company, Minnesota, USA, Mr. Tom Harry who trained the staff of the ICT Department on the operations of the new scanning machine, expressed satisfaction with the staff’s high level of dedication and diligence during the training.

  • NECO accredits more schools in Equatorial Guinea for SSCE, BECE

    NECO accredits more schools in Equatorial Guinea for SSCE, BECE

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has accredited more schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Equatorial Guinea.

    The newly accredited schools in addition to the existing ones, are in Bata, the largest city in Equatorial Guinea.

    A statement by the Ag. Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani on Wednesday said the NECO Accreditation Team visited the Schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.

    The statement said: “The Accreditation Team inspected Classrooms, Laboratories, Libraries, Computer Laboratories, workshops, Examination Halls, Sports facilities and Continuous Assessment (CA) as well as the adequacy of teachers and school security to determine their suitability and readiness for NECO Examinations.

    “After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status.

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    “The accreditation of additional foreign schools is a testament to NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond the shores of Nigeria.

    “With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for Nigerian students and other foreign nationals worldwide to benefit from its expertise, thus contributing to the advancement of education in Africa and beyond.”

    It would be recalled that NECO examinations are now written by candidates in Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

  • NECO blacklists 14 exam centres over malpractice, bars seven supervisors 

    NECO blacklists 14 exam centres over malpractice, bars seven supervisors 

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has blacklisted 14 examination centres for their involvement in widespread malpractice across nine subjects. 

    Ten of the affected centres are in Ogun State, while four are in Oyo State.

    Additionally, seven supervisors—two each from Oyo and Ogun States, and one each from Lagos, Cross River, and Ebonyi States—have been recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, lateness, and aiding and abetting malpractice. 

    NECO Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, disclosed this while announcing the 2024 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) External results. 

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    A total of 86,067 candidates registered for the exams, with 84,799 sitting for the papers held in November 2024. According to Wushishi: 75.6% (62,929 candidates) obtained Credit and above in the English Language.  93.9% (77,988 candidates) secured Credit and above in Mathematics.  57,114 candidates (67.3%) obtained five Credits, including English and Mathematics.  70,711 candidates (83.3%) earned five Credits, irrespective of English and Mathematics. 

    Notably, exam malpractice cases dropped by 27.7% compared to 2023, with 6,160 candidates booked for misconduct, down from 8,518 last year. 

    Professor Wushishi emphasised that the SSCE External provides a second chance for candidates seeking to improve their results for admission into tertiary institutions both within and outside Nigeria.